Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury

1. What is the nerve root origin of the lateral femoral cutaneous (LFC) nerve?
2. What is the path of the LFC nerve?
3. What is the most common etiology of injury to the LFC nerve (meralgia paresthetica)?
4. What is the presentation of meralgia paresthetica?
5. What is the treatment of meralgia paresthetica?

Answers:
1. L2, L3, contributing to the posterior division of the lumbar plexus.
2. It passes over the iliacus toward the AIS, then under the inguinal ligament to provide sensation to the lateral thigh.
3. Low-grade repetitive trauma, protuberant abdomen, pregnancy, tight clothing, diabetes, tumor, infection.
4. Symptoms are purely sensory and include lateral thigh pain, numbness, burning, or dull ache, sometimes exacerbated by hip extension.
5. Treatment includes rehab, NSAIDs, steroid injection, surgical release.